'No two days are the same': Cork's air traffic controllers keeping the sky safe

In 2024 Cork Airport celebrated one of the best years in its 63-year history, as a total of 3.1 million passengers passed through the airport.

Passengers flying to and from Cork Airport will not come into contact with them, but the air traffic controllers play a crucial role in ensuring that everyone gets to and from their destination.

Through strong collaboration skills, the team at the Cork Airport air traffic control centre are able to ensure operations run smoothly.

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year, the air traffic controllers at Cork Airport help to keep aircraft flying, passengers travelling and ensuring that the skies are safe.

They work with complex radar and computer systems. They make calculations, check flight paths and issue directions and instructions to pilots. They also have to take into account weather conditions, aircraft needing emergency help, and other unexpected events.

Speaking to The Echo, Bryan Griffin, an air traffic controller at Cork Airport, outlined his role.

“I am mainly dealing with clearing aircraft for departure and clearing them to land. Then dealing with the aircraft on the ground as I see them out the window.

“Then we have an approach controller, who deals with all of the aircraft coming in and out of the airport, but on radar.

“So the approach controller would guide them in on the radar. Then once they are about 10 miles from the airport they would be transferred to me. I would clear them to land then. Once they are on the ground, I would get them to their gate.”

Making clear concise decisions and processing information quickly are critical parts of the role of an air traffic controller.

As to what he feels the keys skills of being an air traffic controller are, Mr Griffin said “you have to have high levels of concentration”.

“Spatial awareness is another skill as well that you really need to have. Then good communication skills. They are probably the three main things that you need to be a good controller and to get through.

“You have to be clear and concise communicating with the pilots or the other controller.

“If you are not clear and concise, that leaves room for misinterpretation which is what we don’t want in the job. Communication is a big thing in the job. But you are trained and when you are training to become an air traffic controller, they train you how to communicate properly.”

The Cork Airport control tower is located to the west of the main runway. In there, the team of air traffic controllers are constantly monitoring aircraft movements and ensuring overall safety in the skies around Leeside.

When the airspace gets busier, in particular during the summer months and other peak times during the year, this particular task becomes even more challenging.

While on site, this reporter got to witness the departure of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight KL1128 to Amsterdam and how this looks logistically for the air traffic controllers in Cork.

“The most enjoyable part of my role is that there is constantly something new popping up every day. No two days are the same,” Mr Griffin said.

“You are constantly working with other people. I am working with the approach controller or the pilots.

“There is a misconception out there that air traffic controllers tell the pilots what to do. Whereas in reality we are just helping the pilots along to get to their destination.

“We help the pilots out, they help us out. So, you are constantly working with other people, which is enjoyable. There is always different scenarios popping up. It is never a mundane job.”

Air traffic controllers are recruited through a student controller programme and applicants must be at least 19 years of age.

They must also have passed at least five subjects in the Leaving Certificate, including Mathematics with a grade H5 in at least two higher level papers or hold a comparable award at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

Describing what the training to become an air traffic controller is like, Mr Griffin said it is very hard work, but the training is very much a worthwhile process.

“The training is tough, but it has to be tough because they have to train you to such a high standard, that you are able for the job and are comfortable in the job.

“I would say just definitely go for it. When I was going for this job, I just happened to see it advertised and I applied for it.

“It is a very rewarding job. Like I said earlier, no two days are the same.

“Whenever I meet someone I don’t know and they ask what I do, when I tell them I am an air traffic controller, there is a wow and there are lots of questions that follow on and they are really interested.

“It is so rewarding to have that. It is such a unique job and it is very rewarding.

“You are just proud to be an air traffic controller. You are coming in every day, there are passengers from around Cork and Munster travelling all over the world and you are helping them get on their way. It is nice to be a part of that.”